Farm or Region History / Background

The Kimaratia FCS is located in Kiambu County, on the slopes of the Aberdares Mountain range. The cooperative consists of three washing stations, Gachika, Gichuka and Gitare. Gachika is the largest washing
station of this cooperative.

Farm / Estate Processing Techniques

Once the cherries are being delivered at the washing station, they have to be handsorted. They are then being pulped and fermented overnight. Once the fermentation is finished, the parchment is washed and graded into P1, P2, P3 and P lights. The coffee is then dried for 12-16 days on raised beds.

Environmental/ Sustainability, Social/Community Development

The farmers are taking back the pulp of the cherries to the farm and mixing it with cow manure. It is then used as fertilizer for the coffee
trees.